Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
Drawing compact and bridge camera users into the world of DSLR photography can be difficult when DSLRs lack similar automated controls. Then along comes the lightweight and accessible Olympus E-620 – the latest offering in Olympus’ FourThirds line-up. The E-620 is slightly larger than the 400 series, although it looks and feels pretty much the same. Settings are quick and easy to change using Olympus’ preferred mix of menu and direct access buttons. This is in fact one of those areas is which Olympus excels.
Features & handlingTo keep DSLR newcomers in familiar territory, the E-620 packs in 13 scene modes, such as children, documents and fireworks, to make shooting these subjects a breeze. Then there are six creative filters that remove the necessity of high-end Photoshop skills, bringing some popular special effects to the fingertips of beginners.
Behind these user-friendly features is everything you’d expect in a mid-range DSLR. The E-620 shares many features with its higher spec sibling, the E-30, including its sensor – the 12.3MP Live MOS sensor with dust removal supported by the new TruePic III+ image processor. But when other manufacturers are releasing similar DSLRs with around 15MP, Olympus has remained behind the highly competitive pack.
The free-angle 2.7in LCD screen is again the same as the E-30’s and offers Live View, which is ideal for shooting at difficult angles. With macro photography the Live View really comes into its own with 5x, 7x and even 10x magnification, perfect for getting critical focus pin-sharp.
For the photographer who prefers a faster pace of photography there are seven focus points that conveniently cross the frame. The E-620 also offers a respectable 4fps continuous shooting, which is more than adequate for most moving subjects.
Olympus has produced a good mix of direct access buttons and menu-based controls that are easy to get to grips with. This camera is packed with features that will keep all levels of photographer happy. These include creative filters, in-camera IS and a 2.7in free-angle LCD screen.
Performance and image qualityThis camera does everything you’d expect in a mid-range DSLR with a good frame rate and metering, however the E-620 isn’t the best ISO performer in its range. With an ISO range from 100-3200, it is in the same league as the Sony Alpha 700. The problem is the ISO performance of this mid-range DSLR is pretty good at the lower end of the scale but not higher up. Up to ISO 800 images aren’t too bad but beyond this noise becomes quite a problem.
VerdictThe gap between compact cameras and DSLRs is closing thanks to cameras like the Olympus E-620. With six special effect filters, 13 pre-set shooting modes and face detection, even the least confident beginner can dip their toe into DSLR photography without fear of being overwhelmed. There is a problem with all these shooting modes though, as while they may attract more compact and bridge camera users, they could also stop these converts from exploring more of the advanced features on offer. But at the end of the day you can’t complain when cameras are packed with features, and the Olympus E-620 is certainly one of them. It utilises some of the features you’d expect in a compact, but also has everything a good DSLR should have. It feels a bit pricey at £590 but this will inevitably come down.